Mayor: Mt. Prospect manager getting 'no special perk' for leave of absence

Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene Juracek took time at this week's village board meeting to make what she called "a clarifying statement" regarding the village's financial obligations to Village Manager Michael Janonis during his absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Juracek said she wanted to address questions about whether Janonis was getting paid while on FMLA leave.

The federal act does not require employees to be paid, she said. However, village employees are allowed to use accumulated paid time off - vacation time, personal time and sick time - in order to receive pay during FMLA leave. Once that is exhausted and the employee is still eligible for absence under FMLA, the employee would continue the absence in unpaid status until either the FMLA period expires or the employee returned to work.

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to clarify that there is no special perk involved here or any special privilege - that accumulated paid time off is being used to pay Mr. Janonis while he is on this leave," she said.

Juracek has not addressed questions about why Janonis has taken a leave, saying FMLA prevents her from commenting.

In Janonis' absence, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl has been named acting village manager.